Swap alt and meta keys using keyd

3 files changed, 27 insertions, 2 deletions

diff --git a/home/i3.nix b/home/i3.nix
index 86d2e05..2df6dc9 100644
--- a/home/i3.nix
+++ b/home/i3.nix
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@
     enable = true;
 
     config = let
-      mod = "Mod1";
+      #NOTE: Alt (Mod1) and meta (Mod4) have been swapped by keyd.
+      mod = "Mod4";
 
       ws0 = "0:Main";
       ws1 = "1:Terminal";
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@
         "Shift+Print" = "exec ${pkgs.flameshot}/bin/flameshot screen -c";
         "Print" = "exec ${pkgs.flameshot}/bin/flameshot full -c";
         "${mod}+Shift+s" = "exec ${pkgs.flameshot}/bin/flameshot gui -c";
-        "Mod4+Shift+s" = "exec ${pkgs.flameshot}/bin/flameshot gui -c";
+        "Mod1+Shift+s" = "exec ${pkgs.flameshot}/bin/flameshot gui -c";
         "${mod}+Ctrl+Shift+s" = "exec ${pkgs.flameshot}/bin/flameshot launcher -c";
 
         # Media keys
diff --git a/system/default.nix b/system/default.nix
index 8a8b05b..ca5412c 100644
--- a/system/default.nix
+++ b/system/default.nix
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 {
   imports = [
     ./fonts.nix
+    ./keyd.nix
     ./networking.nix
     ./pipewire.nix
     ./xserver.nix
diff --git a/system/keyd.nix b/system/keyd.nix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6732912
--- /dev/null
+++ b/system/keyd.nix
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+{ ... }:
+
+{
+  services.keyd = {
+    enable = true;
+
+    keyboards."*".settings = {
+      main = {
+        # Swap alt and meta keys.
+        #   I prefer (physical) alt as my WM modifier key because it
+        #   is easier to reach. This can collide with some programs
+        #   shortcuts if they inlcude alt. Swapping alt and meta fixes
+        #   this by making my WM mod key (software) meta, freeing up alt.
+
+        leftalt = "leftmeta";
+        leftmeta = "leftalt";
+
+        rightalt = "rightmeta";
+        rightmeta = "rightalt";
+      };
+    };
+  };
+}